E Q U I P M E N T L I S T

Voyageurs 2017: The Sylvania Wilderness

Proper clothing and equipment will make the difference between having fun and being uncomfortable and unsafe in case of inclement weather. Most of the time, our equipment and skill keep us warm, dry, and well-fed! Some wilderness travel equipment is expensive, so it maybe better for you to rent or borrow equipment, particularly the items marked with an asterisk. We’ve checked prices for rentals, and, in the Madison area, reccommend REI. You can call them at (608) 833-6680. Camp Gray also has a limited amount of equipment to lend, so give us a call if you need something!

We will not send you on the trail unless you are properly equipped. Please call us at (608) 356-8200 with any questions about items on this list! When choosing your clothing, cotton should be your last choice. Wet cotton not only takes a very long time to dry, but also loses its ability to insulate your body from the cold. Better choices are wool or fleece for warm clothes and nylon (like swishy pants or “umbro”-type shorts) and breathable synthetic fabrics for cooler clothes. You might not use all of the clothing you bring, but we must have it to be prepared for anything that comes our way. Even still, despite our best efforts to prepare for all weather and occurrences, you might still be uncomfortable at some point on the trip. This is part of what makes you a Voyageur!

Don’t worry about over-packing.Just bring what you think you might need for clothing, andwe’ll help you decide what you’ll need on the trail. You’ll be able to leave the rest at camp. That being said, do keep in mind that smaller is better, as you’ll be carrying everything you need, plus group equipment on your back.

On the following packing list there is a column titled “Required”. This column is there to help you determine what you must bring, as opposed to what is helpful, but optional. Items in this column with the word “Yes” are required for this trip and we cannot send you out unless you have them. A smiley face “☺” denotes optional items that are recommended. Finally, items with the word “No” are not required for you to have.

Footwear

Equipment / Required / Quantity / Comments /

Check List

Sturdy Shoes / Yes / 1 pair / A sturdy pair of comfortable athletic shoes that can be used for short hikes.
Camp Shoes / Yes / 1 pair / Old athletic shoes or sandals with a heel strap, to wear around our campsites. Do not buy anything, just find some old comfortable shoes.
Canoe Shoes / Yes / 1 Pair / Sturdy close-toed sandals or shoes that can get wet. For canoeing and portaging.
Socks / Yes / 2-3 pair / Thick wool or synthetic socks
Liner Socks / No / 1-2 pair / Some people like to wear thin synthetic socks under their hiking socks. It helps prevent blisters by reducing friction.

Upper Body

Equipment / Required / Quantity /

Comments

/

Check List

Base Layer / Long Johns / Yes / 1 / Capilene, polypropylene, or other synthetics. No cotton.
Sweater / Jacket / Yes / 1 / Wool sweater, fleece pullover / jacket, or a synthetic filled jacket to keep you warm.
Rain Jacket / Yes / 1 / A lightweight waterproof jacket. Should be made out of nylon, or a breathable fabric (like Gore-Tex). Plastic items are ok, but with heavy use they tend to rip and leak.
T-shirt / Yes / 3 / Long or short sleeve shirt. Synthetic materials are preferred, but cotton is ok!

Lower Body

Equipment / Required / Quantity /

Comments

/

Check List

Base Layer / Long Johns / Yes / 1 / Capilene, polypropylene, or other synthetics. No cotton.
Long Pants / Yes / 1 / A pair of pants that are not made of cotton. (No jeans!) These pants could be made of nylon, fleece, or any other synthetic fabric.
Rain Pants / ☺++ / 1 / Lightweight waterproof pants. Should be made out of nylon, or a breathable fabric like Gore-Tex. Plastic items are ok, but with heavy use they tend to rip and leak.
Shorts / Yes / 1-2 / These can be made of any fabric, including cotton. They are not essential for keeping you warm. Make sure they are comfortable and appropriate for physical activity!
Swimsuit / ☺ / 1 / Females must wear one-piece swimsuits. Males should select a swimsuit to double as a pair of shorts.
Briefs / Sports Bras / Yes / 1-2 / Whatever you have is fine. Briefs or boxer-briefs are recommended for men; women should use whatever is comfortable for physical activity.

Head, Neck and Hands

Equipment / Required / Quantity /

Comments

/

Check List

Cap / Wide- Brim Hat / Yes / 1 / A hat will protect your face from the sun. A wide brim hat will also protect your ears and neck.
Fleece / Wool Hat / Yes / 1 / Even though it is summer, it can still get cold at night. Keeping your head warm is essential for keeping your body warm and your spirits up!
Bug Head Net / Yes / 1 / This piece of equipment will keep the mosquitoes off your face. It is cheap and worth more than its weight in gold.
Light Gloves / No / 1 / To keep your hands warm and the mosquitoes off.

Packing and Storage

Equipment / Required / Quantity /

Comments

/

Check List

Daypack / ☺ / 1 / A small backpack or string bag to use in the car..
Trash Bags / Compactor Bags / Yes / 3-4 / These will be a double-insurance to “waterproof” your belongings inside your dry bag. Be sure to get durable bags that are quite large.
Small Bag / ☺ / 1 / To store stuff you decided to leave at camp.

Sleeping Gear

Equipment / Required / Quantity /

Comments

/

Check List

Sleeping Bag* / Yes / 1 / Bulky cotton sleeping bags will not work for this trip! Down or synthetic bags that squish into a stuff sack are what you need. We have a few at camp, so call if you need to borrow!
Sleeping Pad* / Yes / 1 / This is a vital piece of equipment. It insulates your warm body from the cold ground. We have a few at camp, so call if you need to borrow!

Miscellaneous Items

Equipment / Required / Quantity /

Comments

/

Check List

Sunglasses / ☺ / 1 / Any sunglasses with UV protection will do fine.
Bandanas / ☺ / 1-2 / Very useful for a multitude of needs: hanky, dew rag, pot holder, etc...
Lip Balm / ☺ / 1 / Stick with SPF to keep your lips moist and unburned.
Insect Repellent / ☺ + / 1 / A small bottle or tube. No aerosol spray cans.
Trekking Poles / No / 1 set / These poles are very helpful for people with past head, neck, back, or knee injuries. They also help keep your head up to enjoy the scenery. (Backpacking Trips Only)
Sun Screen / Yes / 1 / Small tube with a high SPF.
Headlamp / Flashlight / Yes / 1 / Start the trip with new batteries and you won’t need to worry about them running out.
Glasses / Contacts / Yes, if you use them / 1-2 / If you need glasses / contacts to see clearly, please bring them. If you have an extra set, it’s a good idea to have a back up.
Personal Toiletries / Yes / 1 / Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Brush / Comb, Feminine hygiene products, etc… Recommend keeping these as small as you can. Travel size is fine.
Medications / Yes, if you take any / - / + / Will be kept with counselor on trail.
Small Towel / ☺ / 1 / To save space, cut a piece off an old towel.
Camera / ☺ / 1 / A waterproof, disposable, or old camera that you wouldn’t mind breaking is best.
Pillow / Backpack / ☺ / 1 / To store things in/ use during the car ride.
Bible / ☺ / 1 / A small copy of The Good Book is nice to have.

Items NOT to Bring on Trail

Equipment / Required / Quantity /

Comments

/

Check List

Knives / No / 0 / Our counselors will have a knife to use for chores around the campsite and on trail. / X
iPod/ mp3 player / No / 0 / This would be added weight and is truly unnecessary considering the music provided by God’s creation. / X
Illegal Substances / No / 0 / In accordance with State Law, Federal Law, and Camp Gray’s policies, alcohol, tobacco, and illegal substances are not permitted on trips. / X
Matches / Lighters / No / 0 / As with knives, Camp Gray will provide the necessary tools for starting fires. / X
Cell Phone / No / 0 / Counselor will carry a cell phone in case of emergencies. / X

If, after reading through the equipment list, you find yourself confused about equipment or any other aspect of your trip, please call the Camp Gray office at (608) 356-8200 or write to . Have the word “Exployageurs” in your subject line so it will get to the right person!

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